Tag Archives: Robert “Sput” Searight

Snarky Puppy, who will perform on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the 40th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. Photo courtesy the Hollywood Bowl.

By Jenny Peters

There’s truly no better place to be on a sunny weekend in June than at the Hollywood Bowl, joining in the festive celebration of the annual Playboy Jazz Festival. This year is an extra-special one, marking the 40th year that the festival has lit up the Bowl for two full days and nights of the best jazz, blues and R&B on the planet.

Tickets are now on sale for both Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10, with prices ranging from $22 to $181 for each day, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. and going until about 10:30 p.m. Comedian George Lopez returns to host each day, which both feature top acts and popular newcomers performing a wide range of musical styles.

Saturday’s lineup includes Grammy-winning singer Anthony Hamilton, who combines his gospel roots with a smooth jazz style, as well as Grammy favorites Snarky Puppy, whose collective vocal talents are legendary. The group is comprised of bandleader bassist/composer Michael League, Robert “Sput” Searight on drums, Shaun Martin and Bill Laurance on keyboards, Bob Lanzetti, Mark Lettieri and Chris McQueen on guitar and others.

Other headliners on Saturday feature Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin, Miles Electric Band, the Edmar Castaneda Quartet, Daymé Arocena, Roy Gaines, the Matthew Whitaker Trio and the LA County High School for the Arts Jazz Band.

The Sunday lineup for the 40th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 10, 2018, includes Charles Lloyd. Photo courtesy the Hollywood Bowl.

Sunday brings more incredible music, with two special celebrations. Tower of Power, that legendary horns group, marks its 50th anniversary with a collection of their hot R&B and jazz hits from across the decades, while the Hubtones, a supergroup made up of Randy Brecker, Nicolas Payton, Jeremy Pelt, David Weiss, George Cables and Billy Hart, bring a birthday party to the stage as they remember the music of the late trumpet great Freddie Hubbard, who would have turned 80 this year.

Also in the lineup during the all day to evening affair are the Ramsey Lewis Quintet, Jazmine Sullivan, Charles Lloyd & The Marvels with special guest Lucinda Williams, Richard Bona and Mandekan Cubano, Kneebody, Parlor Social with Dessy Di Lauro x Ric’key Pageot, The LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Big Band Under the Direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas and our favorite, the Count Basie Orchestra Under the Direction of Scotty Barnhart.

Richard Bona and Mandekan Cubano will shake up the 40th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday. June 10, 2018. Photo courtesy the Hollywood Bowl.

As anyone who has been to the Playboy Jazz Festival over the past 39 years knows, the two-day extravaganza is not only about the music, but much more. There’s always an incredibly festive atmosphere all weekend, as people dress to the nines, bring enough food and libations to share with friends and perfect strangers sitting nearby and even throw some Mardi Gras beads to those strolling by to add to the fun.

The Hollywood Bowl is one of Southern California’s iconic places and the Playboy Jazz Festival is one of the most-fun events that happens during its annual season that is presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. For the complete Hollywood Bowl 2018 season schedule, go to http://www.HollywoodBowl.com.

Follow Jenny Peters on Twitter @jennpeters and on Instagram @jetsetjen1